Record-setting Romo, defensive TD keep Cowboys' hopes alive

Updated 11:41 pm, Sunday, December 2, 2012

Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne leaps into the end zone with what proved to be the game-winner after returning a fumble 50 yards in the fourth quarter.

Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne leaps into the end zone with what proved to be the game-winner after returning a fumble 50 yards in the fourth quarter.

Photo: Tom Pennington, Stringer

Record-setting Romo, defensive TD keep Cowboys' hopes alive

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ARLINGTON - Tony Romo broke a prestigious franchise passing record while rallying the Dallas Cowboys from an 11-point second-quarter deficit to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-33 on Sunday night.

Romo's 23-yard strike to Dez Bryant early in the third quarter was his first touchdown pass of the game and the 166th of his career, surpassing the mark of 165 set by Troy Aikman in a 12-year Hall of Fame career that ended after the 2000 season.

With Texas A&M Heisman Trophy candidate Johnny Manziel looking on from a luxury suite, Romo finished with three TDs in helping the Cowboys improve to 6-6 and keep their playoff hopes alive. He was 22-of-27 for 303 yards without a turnover for a sterling 150.5 passer rating.

"It's about winning games," Romo said. "Records get put aside with the playoff picture being what it is. With that said, it's a neat thing when you consider the names in the record book. When you are in any discussion with (Aikman) in anything, that's pretty special."

The Cowboys trailed 14-3 midway through the second quarter and 17-10 at halftime. Dallas has trailed by 10 points or more in its last five home games and has been outscored 148-89 in the first half this season, including 95-40 at home.

10-for-10 after halftime

Things turned around for the Cowboys in the second half with improved play from their much-maligned offensive line. The Eagles sacked Romo twice in the first half, but they were kept at bay in the second, a big reason why he was 10-for-10 for 169 yards and three TDs after halftime.

"A little bit of that was just getting a handle on what they were doing," Romo said. "The Eagles rush the passer well, so you just have to keep going, expect a couple of negative plays, and then hit your receivers when you get enough time."

For much of Sunday night, the focus was on the outstanding play of Philadelphia rookies Nick Foles and Bryce Brown.

But late in the game, the spotlight shifted to another youngster.

A 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown by first-round cornerback Morris Claiborne gave the Cowboys a 38-27 lead with 3:50 left. Nose tackle Josh Brent, filling in for injured Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff, caused the turnover.

"It was the difference-making play of the game," Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. "Morris is a playmaking-type of guy. He did a lot of that at LSU, and you are starting to see that from him now."

The Eagles (3-9) pulled within the final score on Damaris Johnson's 98-yard punt return with 31 seconds left. Foles misfired on a two-point conversion pass, failing to find a wide-open Brown, and Jason Witten recovered the onside kick to give Dallas a sweep of the season series with its NFC East rival for the first time since 2009.

Eagles' skid at 8

It was the eighth consecutive loss for the Eagles, their longest skid since an 0-11 start in 1968.

Philly seemed poised for an upset thanks to huge outings by Foles, an Austin Westlake grad who was 22-of-34 for 251 yards with one TD and no turnovers, and Bryce, who ran for 169 yards and two TDs on 24 carries.

Dallas benefited from the return of DeMarco Murray, who had 83 yards on 23 carries after missing the previous six games with a foot injury.

Dez Bryant had six catches for 98 yards with two TDs, including a 6-yarder on a screen that gave Dallas a 31-27 lead with 5:35 left.